How do you survive the ice & snow ???

[Scott B]

Like I said to my wife today, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. We just inked the deal on our first boat, '05 H33, and now I can't think of anything else but getting out on the water!! Are we there yet???The sad part is I know the minute we get out there... zip ..... we'll be pulling it out and putting it on the hard for the winter. How do you survive knowing your boat is under 2 feet of snow, anticipating the ice to melt in the harbour to launch and get out there.

 

[Scott B]

Great ideas!!

As much as I live skiing, I could easily convince the Admiral to head south to either check out the sailboats at Hunter or just go sailing. But neither are an option right now and I can't sleep until it's on the water!!

 

[TT23844]

Hibernation

nm

 

[Ross]

Learn to enjoy reading. Of course you know how

to read but now you learn to enjoy reading all manner of print. Do you know what you are looking at when you see vegetation in the water? do you know the species of trees along shore? can you detect the scrapes made by the glaciers on the bed rock on shore? How many birds can you name on sight? can you make yeast bread by hand? can you tie a monkey fist? how many knots can you tie without looking in the book? have you made a rope mat? can you tie a Turks head? do you sew whippings on your lines? have you made a ditty bag yet? have you filled it with useful tools? What are you waiting for ? spring is here and soon the boat will be in the water and you won't have gotten anything done! ;D

 

[Brian]

B.O.A.T. - Bring Out Another Thousand

Winter survival is completly dependant on designing, researching and buying stuff for projects that may or may not ever get done. So between the Greater Toronto Area and Georgian Bay they are at least 20 decent chandleries to visit. Sprinkle in a couple of boat shows, a seminar or two in the spring and you probably have two trips a week for nautical pleasure.Then there is the internet - Ebay and hundreds of other on-line places for more research and purchases - not to mention watching this site.Don't forget you still have to do searches of Hunter 33's for that post purchase confirmation. Angus Yachts has two 33's - Aleria & Chances R - or did you get one of these and they just haven't marked it sold yet.Finally - don't forget Bayport's web cam - I just checked and the ice is starting to break. See you in Chimney Bay - Brian B321

 

[Scott B]

BOAFT

In our case it's Break Out Another Few Thousand. Everytime I turn around it's another few thousand for this and that..... We added a third battery dedicated to the engine only and echo charger and the boat did not have wind instrument $$$ . It only had the danforth so I've just ordered a Rocna 15kg. and will get chain and line. $$$ Went looking last week at an inflateable and think we'll get the Walker Bay 10' with rigid hull and 15 HP motor. $$$I'm also getting them to rig the mast etc. since this is our first boat and I have no idea how it would go together properly. $$$ I intend to be on hand to watch and learn, and even aksed if they charged extra if I helped. The only thing that surprised me ( I had figured close on everything previous as far as cost before we bought the boat) was the cost to drop the arch and prep it for shipping, but after looking at it, it's better that I let them do the work and do it right.I think I've either looked online at or visited most of the chandleries in the past few weeks. We're headed down the The Store at Port Credit for the anchor chain, or its just an excuse to visit the boat..... we do have to see the new name change Angus had 3 05's and an 04 for sale previously and as far as I can tell Aleria is the 4th. They dropped ours off the list when it sold, possibly to not appear like there is a lot for sale right now. One of the others previously listed is not up, maybe changed his mind? We're very happy with the deal we made, essentially it's a brand new boat (was hardly used) with a good discount.Are you at Bay Port? We know some people in a stink boat over there, although we're headed to BayMoorings.... less $$$

 

[Scott B]

Our boat

This is ours. Previous name was Closer, should be renamed Sunset Chaser shortly by the people at Port Credit.Scott

 

[Marcia]

Surviving Winter

My brother has sold his boat and has "retired" from sailing so when we bought our old boat last year he sent me a large box full of sailing "how-to" books. I spent this winter re-reading just about all of them, plus I've saved all of last year's Chesapeake Bay Magazine, Good Old Boat, Sail and Cruising World magazines. I love looking at all of them, and as I've gained more and more experience, I've also been able to read articles (that previously baffled me) with greater understanding. Top of the list though is a daily dose of this web site!

 

[DanW9494]

Marraige counseling

Or rob banks, because you are about to become addicted to chandlery pornography. You wanted a boat? What you really want is waiting for you at West Marine, or online while you’re supposed to be working. Your wife thinks this will be good for US. Wait till she meets the dark side. Have fun, and only one purchase per billing cycle. How many credit cards does she know about?

 

[maccauley123]

Lots of stuff

Sailing magazinesReviewing books in my libraryReading regular booksMoviesGetting whatever boat projects I can donePlaying in the snow, sledding and skating and stuff.Time with family and friendsWorkMaine boatbuilders showA teasing week in the Bahamas, no sailing unfortunatelyLots to do

 

[Gregg18047]

Buy both of Tania Aebi's books....

...Maiden Voyage and I've Been Around. That should keep you busy and enthused until launch time. I re-read Maiden Voyage every winter.You are going to love that 33. Almost like Nick, I moved up from a 290. Get ready - that boat likes to move!Wouldn't it be nice to have a wife like Nick's? 'No honey, buy the bigger boat....'! Hang in there Nick, we're almost there..

 

[Scott B]

It was my wife's idea to BUY NOW

On our way down to view the boat I asked her if we liked the price should we put in an offer, she was very hesitant and not sure. After seeing the boat and talking to the salesman, she had her hand on the cheque book ready to sign a deposit before I even mentioned it. Gotta love it !!

 

[Warren]

More To Life

Take up rabbit huntingLearn to flyBuy a snowmobile

 

[newsailor06]

For this year anyway....

we have been very busy. Our son graduated from college 2 years ago so we are now empty nesters. Last fall, the Admiral turned to me and said:"Let's move closer to the lake." We are now downsizing and building a new home so our travel time will be cut in half. And...since I agreed to the new house, she agreed to a larger boat when we get settled in. To me it's a win win... Our winter has been looking at house plans, lots, developments, and all that kind of stuff. The slab should have been poured this week and framing will begin soon. We visit the construction site once a week to take pictures..and that will probably increase. Only problem is now we may have less time for sailing until after we move..which is looking like August.

 

[DanW9494]

Docking Privileges

Scott I'm jealous, I admit itI'm sure you won't need it, but the Golden Rules of Sailing with Admirals:Spend more TIME and money on the upkeep (attention) and outfitting (shopping) of the Admiral than the Mistress, that you may have docking privileges and fair winds in the harbor. You have a little time before the sailing season to build up your credit with the Admiralty.Reef early, like at the dock, until she smiles when she closes her eyes.

 

[Scott B]

Can't wait that long

Nick / Seadaddler, we want to maximize our time exploring Georgian Bay, and I couldn't/ don't want to spend the time off to sail it around, 3-4 days. Also, being this is boat number one, I really don't want to do our maiden voyage through the Welland Canal.

 

[Scott B]

We are here..... soon

Scroll out and you'll see more of Georgian Bay in relation to Lake Huron etc.The East side of Georgian Bay is called the 30,000 islands. There is great sailing on the bay and tons of mooring locations in amongst the islands. The scenery is fantastic and the sunsets outstanding.If you click the Satellite button you can see the marina.the boat is in Toronto, 2 1/2 hr. drive, by boat you would have to go Lake Ontario, Erie, Lake St. Clair, Huron around Tobermory Point and down Georgian Bay.